Content CreatorTrusted

I used them both. First I used Oracle Virtualbox, which was very good, but after I tried VMWare Workstation player, I like VMWare more. The drag and drop between host and VM are better there and overall it runs faster on my pc and is a bit lighter than Virtualbox.
The only thing that is maybe different in terms of being free is that to be able to use VMWare, you need to provide an email adress, but of course that can also be a serpate junk email adress.
I use Windows 7 and Windows 10 VM's (both x86)
For me, VMware wins the battle, but they are both good products.

Staff MemberContent Creator

Tho I do have the Pro version and not Player, I will speak from VMware in general prespective vs Virtual Box.

For Linux Guest OSes, VB is more stable and offer better performance. Also easier to install Guest additions in Linux.

For Windows Guest OSes, VMware takes the lead, as above mentioned, such as better host to guest integration, better graphics support (trivial I know but still a plus)

Now on both free versions, VB offers more quality of life options that you will only find it in VMware pro version. Another thing is its resource usage as well as running services. VB doesn't have any service until you actually run the software, while VMware has it constantly.

Trusted

They have little difference when it terms of reliability and strong concept of virtualization. I found Virtualbox as easy to access from features considering its an open source program whereas VMware useful tools can be found on their Workstation if you are willing to invest a good budget.

Why I want to compare:
Currently I'm using VirtualBox because at the time I was looking for a virtualization program I found VirtualBox at first and it looked clear, easy to use and professionally.
I want to read what you're using and why you do prefer it against the other one.

VirtualBox. It's just way easier for me. The GUI is simple, intuitive and all the options I want are there and easily accessible. I have less then 10 VMs, so I have no need for Workstation. I used ESXi at one point but it wasn't worth it for what I do with my VMs. Though learning VMware is a must if you want to get a job into virtualization and management.

I use VirtualBox and works great for me. In past have some issues like booting from bootable usb in virtualbox, disable system time syn with host etc but found solution from their forum and successfully solved these issues.

VirtualBox, its free and easy to use. If you use it also get CloneVDI (also free) its great to make backups of your VMs, and compacts them too. It can even increase the virtual disk size too if you run out of virtual disk space.

VirtualBox is free but I personally prefer VMWare Workstation Pro - I have been using VMWare for a year now but before that I used VirtualBox. VirtualBox for me came up with more errors - I have never had a single problem with VMWare software...

AV Tester

I used to use VirualBox, but I disliked it's interface. The working was fine, it has everything it needs for you to try and get used to an VM. But once I tryed Vmware Workstation, I was in heaven. Look's lot's more professional, good support, can't say anything bad about it. exept that it is expensive :/

EDIT: I just see it's about the VMware player, I never tryed that one, so I can't give my experience

Much easier to install OSX in the VM. VMWare actively blocks installing OSX in their Windows and Linux desktop products (edit: thanks Clarke).

Open-source

Active and open development community

GPL insures your continued access to the source (or likely access..Oracle has magically "un-FOSS'ed" other FOSS products they acquired from Sun)

Backed by large company

You get the complete VirtualBox for free.

VirtualBox Cons:

Oracle can't issue a commercial license for anything other than the USB drivers

Oracle USB drivers are closed-source

GPL means you need to be careful about what you add to the source if you redistribute VB

The large company that backs VB is Oracle, which isn't terribly FOSS friendly.

VMWare Pros:

Well established and respected in the enterprise market

VMWare can sell commercial licenses

Has well-established third-party development and distribution programs.

Has an entire line of VM products

More polished

VMWare Cons:

Closed source - you're at the mercy of their engineers for bug fixes and features

Costs more than VirtualBox

Free versions limited

Will restrict your ability to use their product based on third-party requests

I switched a few years ago from VMWare to VirtualBox. I primarily virtualize Linux atop Windows, and Windows XP atop Windows (though now this is built into Windows 8) in a desktop environment, and occasionally OSX atop Linux or Windows. I haven't noticed any difference in stability or performance between the two for interactive development work.

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